The debate between positive and negative reinforcements has been an ongoing issue among parents for the past couple of years. Different child-rearing philosophies mushroomed and most parents have opted to use the “kinder” ones (positive reinforcements) on their children. Disciplinary spanking (a form of negative reinforcement) was deemed as cruel and inhuman, and some [parents] even got sued for “raising a hand” on their kids.

When people realize that I homeschool my three children, they tend to react in one of several ways:

Some are surprised. “Really? It can be done? Is that legal?”

Some are skeptical. “Oh yeah? How could that possibly work?”

Some are impressed. “Wow, that’s incredible! How do you do it?”

Some are concerned. “Those poor kids… deprived of a good education!”

Some are enlightened. “Hmm, I can see why you’re doing this.”